Baton Rouge LA vs Birmingham AL — Cost of Living, Crime & Income Comparison 2026
Updated May 2026 · Source: US Census ACS 5-Year (2023), FBI CDE (2023), BLS OEWS (2024)
Baton Rouge, LA
Louisiana · Population: 223,699
- Median HH Income$49,944
- Median Home Price$231,011
- Unemployment9.0%
- Bachelor's+35.8%
Birmingham, AL
Alabama · Population: 199,322
- Median HH Income$44,376
- Median Home Price$137,201
- Unemployment6.1%
- Bachelor's+30.7%
Detailed Comparison
Demographics
Population
Baton Rouge
223,699
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
199,322
Pop. Density / sq mi
Lower = more space
Baton Rouge
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
Median Age
Baton Rouge
31.8
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
35.9
Foreign Born
Baton Rouge
7.4%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
4.4%
White
Baton Rouge
36.2%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
25.6%
Black
Baton Rouge
51.0%
Birmingham
67.1%
Birmingham +
Asian
Baton Rouge
3.6%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
1.4%
Hispanic
Baton Rouge
6.5%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
4.9%
Spanish at Home
Baton Rouge
N/A
Birmingham
N/A
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 223,699 | 199,322 | Baton Rouge + |
| Pop. Density / sq miLower = more space | N/A | N/A | - |
| Median Age | 31.8 | 35.9 | Baton Rouge + |
| Foreign Born | 7.4% | 4.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| White | 36.2% | 25.6% | Baton Rouge + |
| Black | 51.0% | 67.1% | Birmingham + |
| Asian | 3.6% | 1.4% | Baton Rouge + |
| Hispanic | 6.5% | 4.9% | Baton Rouge + |
| Spanish at Home | N/A | N/A | - |
Economy
Median HH Income
Baton Rouge
$49,944
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
$44,376
Per Capita Income
Baton Rouge
$33,415
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
$31,616
Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)
BEA MSA-level
Baton Rouge
$55,297
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
$51,690
Unemployment Rate
Baton Rouge
9.0%
Birmingham
6.1%
Birmingham +
Poverty Rate
Baton Rouge
25.0%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
25.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
Baton Rouge
35.8%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
30.7%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median HH Income | $49,944 | $44,376 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Income | $33,415 | $31,616 | Baton Rouge + |
| Per Capita Personal Income (MSA)BEA MSA-level | $55,297 | $51,690 | Baton Rouge + |
| Unemployment Rate | 9.0% | 6.1% | Birmingham + |
| Poverty Rate | 25.0% | 25.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 35.8% | 30.7% | Baton Rouge + |
Housing
Median Home Value
Zillow ZHVI / Census ACS
Baton Rouge
$231,011
Birmingham
$137,201
Birmingham +
Homeownership Rate
Baton Rouge
46.9%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
45.1%
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Home ValueZillow ZHVI / Census ACS | $231,011 | $137,201 | Birmingham + |
| Homeownership Rate | 46.9% | 45.1% | Baton Rouge + |
Safety
Violent Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
643
Birmingham
400
Birmingham +
Property Crime / 100K
FBI CDE (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
2824
Birmingham
1734
Birmingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 643 | 400 | Birmingham + |
| Property Crime / 100KFBI CDE (state-level est.) | 2824 | 1734 | Birmingham + |
Health
Obesity Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
37.9%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
42.2%
Diabetes Rate
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
15.3%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
19.2%
Poor Mental Health
CDC PLACES — 14+ days/month
Baton Rouge
21.0%
Birmingham
18.5%
Birmingham +
No Health Insurance
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
9.6%
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
11.2%
Binge Drinking
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.3%
Birmingham
13.1%
Birmingham +
Current Smokers
CDC PLACES
Baton Rouge
16.7%
Birmingham
16.6%
Birmingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Obesity RateCDC PLACES | 37.9% | 42.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Diabetes RateCDC PLACES | 15.3% | 19.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Poor Mental HealthCDC PLACES — 14+ days/month | 21.0% | 18.5% | Birmingham + |
| No Health InsuranceCDC PLACES | 9.6% | 11.2% | Baton Rouge + |
| Binge DrinkingCDC PLACES | 16.3% | 13.1% | Birmingham + |
| Current SmokersCDC PLACES | 16.7% | 16.6% | Birmingham + |
Climate
Avg Annual Temp
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
N/A
Birmingham
63.3°F
Annual Precipitation
NOAA 1991–2020 normal
Baton Rouge
64.8 in
Birmingham
53.7 in
Birmingham +
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Avg Annual TempNOAA 1991–2020 normal | N/A | 63.3°F | - |
| Annual PrecipitationNOAA 1991–2020 normal | 64.8 in | 53.7 in | Birmingham + |
Air Quality
PM2.5 Annual Avg
EPA AQS (state-level est.)
Baton Rouge
8.9 µg/m³
Birmingham
8.8 µg/m³
Birmingham +
Good Air Days
AQI ≤ 50
Baton Rouge
75.0%
Birmingham
75.0%
Tie
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| PM2.5 Annual AvgEPA AQS (state-level est.) | 8.9 µg/m³ | 8.8 µg/m³ | Birmingham + |
| Good Air DaysAQI ≤ 50 | 75.0% | 75.0% | Tie |
Commute
Mean Commute Time
Census ACS
Baton Rouge
23.1 min
Baton Rouge +
Birmingham
23.2 min
| Metric | Baton Rouge, LA | Birmingham, AL | Better |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mean Commute TimeCensus ACS | 23.1 min | 23.2 min | Baton Rouge + |
Which City is Right for You?
Baton Rouge leads in median household income at $49,944, while birmingham offers more affordable housing with a median home price of $137,201. On public safety, Birmingham is safer with a violent crime rate of 400 per 100,000 residents, compared to 643 in Baton Rouge. Birmingham has a lower unemployment rate at 6.1%, and Birmingham has cleaner air (PM2.5 avg 8.8 µg/m³). For overall health outcomes, Baton Rouge scores better with a lower obesity rate of 37.9%.
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